9 post-baby body changes no one tells you about

by
Evonne Lack

Engorgement

A few days after you deliver your baby, you discover that not only are your breasts bigger than ever, they're as hard as rocks.

How to deal:Engorgement occurs when your milk comes in, bringing with it an increased blood flow to your breasts. While the sensation of fullness is mild in some women, for others it can be extremely uncomfortable. "What helps the most is getting the baby to nurse well," Dieghan says. "So if you're having trouble getting breastfeeding established, consider working with a lactation consultant."

If you're not nursing, the trick is to not empty or stimulate the breasts – which may be easier said than done. "The inclination is to empty them, because it feels better. But then your body will think you're nursing, and the breasts will just fill up again," says Dieghan. Instead, apply cold packs or, interestingly, cabbage leaves. You'll find additional advice on easing the discomfort in our article on engorgement.

You should start to feel better in a day or two, but if you don't, definitely talk to your doctor. Your breast discomfort could be a sign of a different problem, such as a breast infection.

Hemorrhoids

"I always thought if I made it through pregnancy without hemorrhoids, I was home free. No one told me it's common to get them from pushing during a vaginal birth," says Erin Charpentier. "Sure enough, I came home from the hospital with a whole set."

How to deal: It's true – even if you escaped hemorrhoids during pregnancy, you can still get them from labor itself. "Some women get monster hemorrhoids," says Munoz. "And it makes sense. When a woman is pushing, you can often see the veins sticking out on her forehead. Well, the hemorrhoidal veins are under the same pressure, not to mention that the pregnant uterus was pushing on them for several months before delivery."

There are a lot of ways to get 'roid relief, including applying cold compresses, soaking in a tub or sitz bath, and using medicated wipes after your bowel movements.

If the hemorrhoids don't go away in a week or two, or if you experience bleeding from the hemorrhoids, be sure to consult your doctor. It's a common problem, and there's no need to suffer in silence.

Hair loss

No, it's not your imagination – your hair really is falling out. "I was so freaked out by this that I actually dried the hair from the shower floor on the back of a chair and saved it in a box, thinking it was going to become a wig in the next month or two!" says Kasper.

How to deal: Normally, about 85 to 95 percent of the hair on your head is growing and the other 5 to 15 percent is in a resting stage, about to fall out and be replaced. During pregnancy, estrogen causes even more of your hair to grow and less of it to rest and be shed. This accounts for that luxurious mane you may have sported before delivery.

After delivery, estrogen levels fall and more hairs enter the resting phase – meaning they stop growing and fall out all at once. This often happens around 12 weeks after giving birth.

Although dermatologists say hair should return to its pre-pregnancy thickness within six to 12 months, many mothers disagree. "My hair never grew back. It's a lot thinner now," says Cyndee Woolley, who gave birth two years ago. "This is one of those situations where the 'medical facts' don't necessarily match what we hear from real patients," Munoz concedes.

The important thing, though, is that the falling out part does eventually stop. So cancel those wig-making plans and treat yourself to a flattering new cut instead.

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